Our Stories
Five puppies later… and still passionate about puppy raising
I first volunteered as a Puppy Raiser nine years ago, after a friend who had raised a puppy for Mobility Dogs introduced me to the organisation. Since then, I have raised five long-term puppies (each for a year or more) and have also boarded many others for short...
From raising puppies to changing lives – Carla’s journey begins
Carla first discovered Mobility Dogs while watching the TV show Dog Squad: Puppy School - and she was instantly hooked. “My husband and I were watching with our young son, and we were so impressed by what we saw,” she says. “We really loved what the organisation stood...
Mobility Dogs achieves international reaccreditation for the third consecutive time
Mobility Assistance Dogs Trust (Mobility Dogs) has once again achieved accreditation from Assistance Dogs International (ADI), marking the third consecutive time the organisation has met the highest international standards in the service dog industry. Mobility Dogs is...
Meet Hugo – A special puppy backed by a very special trust
At Mobility Dogs, we know that behind every incredible dog is a community of people who make their journey possible. One of those incredible dogs is Hugo, a bright and affectionate pup who’s now just over nine months old and making fantastic progress in his training —...
Jacob & Harley: Life’s better together
In sunny Whakatāne, 22-year-old Jacob lives with his mum and dad, with his sister and brother-in-law right next door - and his loyal companion, Harley. Jacob has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and Harley isn’t just any dog; he’s a Mobility Dog who helps Jacob with...
Gracie the Golden Retriever: A lifeline and a light for Michal 💚
When Wellington counsellor Michal Horton first met a therapy dog in hospital, she had no idea that moment would change her life. After a routine heart surgery went terribly wrong, Michal spent weeks in ICU fighting sepsis and multi-organ failure. During her time in...
Mobility Dogs launches national campaign to raise awareness of their life-changing work
Mobility Dogs has launched a nationwide awareness and education campaign to showcase its unique and vital role in supporting people living with disabilities, as well as providing therapeutic and companion dogs across Aotearoa New Zealand. As one of just three...
A chat with Corinna Cooper, Senior Trainer at Mobility Dogs
Ever wondered what it takes to train a Mobility Dog? Or what makes these special pups such life-changing companions? We sat down with Mobility Dogs Senior Trainer, Corinna Cooper, to chat about the journey from puppy to partner – and how these dogs are helping Kiwis...
Still side by side: Linda-Lee and Mr Darby’s life-changing bond
In 2022, we introduced Linda-Lee Odom to her new Mobility Dog, Mr Darby. Three years on, their story is one of transformation, trust and a life-changing impact from their partnership. “Mobility Dogs and their Puppies in Prison Programme, staff, whānau, and family gave...
A Life Transformed: Pia and Maple’s Journey Together
Pia, a 28-year-old from Dunedin, lives with Muscular Dystrophy. For years, she navigated life with quiet determination, but everything changed when she met Maple, her Mobility Dog. “I first heard about Mobility Dogs through the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s...